About SPACE

The Syrian Peace Action Center (SPACE) is a non-profit, independent association established in May 2015 in Norway (organization number 915354297).

SPACE works to provide room for Syrians and Syria with the aim of combating the violent fragmentation the people of Syria are undergoing. The underlying assumption that frames the work of SPACE is that the role of the people in political questions remains at bottom the main problem facing Syria today. SPACE emphasizes that the question of Syria can only be answered democratically, and that any narrative that excludes the people is ultimately an endorsement of undemocratic and inhumane processes. In 2011, for the first time since decades the Syrian people have reclaimed the public space and started constructing their narratives, gains we believe are irrevocable and are building blocks for a democratic and just Syrian society.

SPACE arranges recurring events about the Syrian cause in collaboration with key stakeholders in Norway. Through periodic change in the focus of the organized events, SPACE helps create alternative spaces for Syrian and Norwegian researchers and intellectuals, cultural producers and artistic voices to engage and interact. As an exilic collective that hopes to accomplish gains for the Syrian people, SPACE is especially sensitive to the dynamics of the Norwegian public sphere, who functions as the main audience for its message.

Funding

SPACE is a voluntary organization. All the funding SPACE receives is project-based. The Story of Aleppo is funded by Fritt Ord. Our former project donors are Oslo Kommune Kulturetaten and Bergesenstiftelsen.

Team

The founding members of SPACE are: Murhaf Fares, Rana Issa and Zeina Bali.